ABERDEEN roared into the third qualifying round of the Europa League with a superb victory in Holland thanks to goals from Adam Rooney and Niall McGinn.

Niall McGinn celebrates after Aberdeen's second goal in their fantastic victory away to FC Gronigen

THEY chanted that the sheep were back.

And the Red Army had every right to believe as the memories of past European glories returned with a magnificent win over Groningen that books their club a clash against Basque giants Real Sociedad.

Around 1000 Dons fans had been fed tea and biscuits by their Dutch hosts pre-match and by full-time they were dining out on a night they won’t forget.

Adam Rooney’s penalty and a Niall McGinn strike had Aberdeen on easy street as they raced into a two-goal lead before Maikel Kieftenbeld pulled one back for the hosts just before half-time.

Now a third-round Europa League qualifier beckons for Derek McInnes side against Sociedad and the Pittodrie boss insists he didn’t doubt for a minute they would progress.

He said: “I’m not surprised as I always thought we could get the result.

“If I was nitpicking then we could have scored a couple more goals. It was more than deserved. We showed different aspects to our game with pace and invention on the break.

“When it was required we showed real resolve, determination and organisation to see the game out.

“We went two goals up and threatened again before losing a poor goal just before half time but I always felt we could come here and win.

“The onus was on them to try and find the answers.

“Other than a 25 minute period where they had a bit of momentum, I felt it was a comfortable night’s work.

“I expected us to defend well and break well and the boys carried out their work properly and we got what we deserved.

“There was a lot of real team determination and that’s why I enjoy managing them.

“People said Aberdeen would come to Holland and play with the heart and not the head. But I have a huge regard for what I have in our dressing room.

“I really do feel we have a good team and there’s lots to look forward to this season and beyond.”

It was a result that put a lid on some gobby Groningen players who had taken a win in the return leg for granted and McInnes insists that won’t be the case when they visit the Basque country next week.

He said: “It’s exciting for us, we are looking forward to it and the club will do well financially.

“More importantly is the fans and the players get to enjoy more of this.

“I will watch them on Saturday at Nijmegen. Real Sociedad will be a hard nut to crack but they won’t underestimate us and tonight will give us the confidence to get a result to take back to Aberdeen.

“They will do their homework and see we are a good side. We showed dignity going into this game and we would never treat anyone lightly, if anyone does that to us then they could come undone.”

The night started with a scare when keeper Jamie Langfield was beaten in the fifth minute by Johan Kappelhof’s looping header but Johnny Hayes rescued the situation with a goal-line clearance.

It was chances galore at both ends but it was Aberdeen who gained the initiative.

The reward for taking the game to the Dutch from the first whistle arrived in the 26th minute as they were awarded a stonewall spot-kick.

Again it was Hayes who was the threat to Groningen as he twisted his way into the box and gratefully went down thanks to Kappelhof’s trip.

Rooney slammed the penalty low to Sergio Padt’s right and the dream start was secured.

It was to get better six minutes later as the Dons grabbed a second.

The offside flag stayed down as the home defence stopped to watch Rooney clip a shot off the crossbar while McGinn followed up to steer the ball home.

It was tempting fate but the Dutch had been so dismal up to this point that the three goals they now required to progress looked a fantasy.

But on the stroke of half-time they threw themselves a lifeline as Kieftenbeld rose between Shay Logan and Russell Anderson to bullet in a downward header from Rasmus Lindgren’s cross which Langfield couldn’t keep out low to his right post.

It was a blow that suddenly transformed the complexion of the contest.

Groningen were a side revitalised both in belief and sense of purpose as they flew out of the traps straight from the restart.

The Dons were now the side digging in as they repelled waves of attacks with Langfield fortunate to see Tjaronn Chery’s effort slip past.

It was all hands to the pump as Groningen sensed a way back and they had a decent penalty shout on the hour mark as Chery went down under Anderson’s challenge as the Red Army held their breath.

The Dons were having to dig deep and Langfield somehow managed to block Filip Kostic’s strike with his legs when it looked like a certain goal.

There was an occasional moment of respite such as when McGinn’s lung busting run ended with a shot that was deflected wide.

But it was Langfield to the rescue again in the 76th minute as he threw himself full stretch to turn Chery’s thunderbolt wide for a corner.

The Dons fans continued to nervously clock watch as Groningen surged forward but when Langfield parried Eric Botteghin’s 20-yarder to safety late on they knew it was then job done.